How do travelers checks work

The Hanoi Times - Le Guide du Routard Viet Nam 2009 (The Guide of the Traveller Viet Nam) – an updated, French travel guide from the publishers of world-renowned guide books, is hot off the press. The book gives readers fresh facts they need to know about the dos-and-dont’s of traipsing around the rugged and verdant countryside of Viet Nam. It replaces the out-dated 1994 first edition. French journalist Olivier Page has documented his meandering wayfaring across the country since 1994 in the book. He’s never to be seen without his camera and notebook. "Between 1992 and 1993, many French people started to pay attention to Viet Nam. French television arrived in the country for the first time after the war at the time. Through television, the French saw a new image of Viet Nam - a country at peace, opening up to the world," he said. He travels twice to Viet Nam to update the guide. "Seventy-five per cent of our work involves verifying practical information o­n … [Read more...] about French language travel guide revised – Tours – Travel

600 logs of rare timber seized Krong Trai forest rangers have seized nearly 600 logs of giang huong (pterocarpus pedatus pierre) timber, illegally stored at a local house in central Phu Yen Province. Nguyen Tien Dat, 41, had been storing the timber and failed to show legal documents to prove the stockpile's origin. It is the largest amount of timber found to be illegally stored at a local house in the province so far. The case is currently under investigation. Giang huong (Pterocarpus pedatus Pierre) is precious 2A timber. Special permission is required from authorised agencies to transport or trade the material. VN Railway Station offers 20% discount on ticket price of SE19, SE20 Vietnam Railway Station is offering a discount of 20 percent on ticket prices for passengers who travel to Quang Binh to attend in General Vo Nguyen Giap’s funeral from 11 to 14 October. The program is applicable for SE19 and SE20 trains from Hanoi to Dong Hoi Station in Quang Binh Province and return … [Read more...] about Australia doctor awarded for environment works in VN

Dance to fight against breast cancer International SOS Hanoi in partnership with Intercontinental Hotel Hanoi, Yury Rockit and La Zum3, will hold the first ever annual Breast Cancer Zumbathon to raise money for disadvantaged women fighting Breast Cancer at 2pm on October 30, 2016 at Grand Ballroom of InterContinental Hanoi West Lake. Every year over 1.7 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and currently it is the most common cancer amongst women in Vietnam. 2012 saw over 11,000 Vietnamese women diagnosed with 30 per cent of all patients diagnosed already in the advanced stages of the disease, meaning mortality rates are high. Attending the event with International SOS Vietnam, we wish to join the fight against Breast Cancer by supporting Vietnamese women currently undergoing diagnosis and treatment, and we need your help to do this. At 2pm on October 30, International SOS Hanoi in partnership with Intercontinental Hotel Hanoi, Yury Rockit and La Zum3, will hold … [Read more...] about Social News 26/10

2016 New Year Celebration in Hanoi 2016 is coming in just two days! Are you wondering how to celebrate the special moments of New Year's Eve? Check out some suggestions below: EXTRAVAGANT COUNTDOWN PARTIES: 1. Heineken Countdown Party Thu 31 Dec 2014, 8 pm - 00.30 am Ly Thai To Park The most popular annual countdown and music party is equipped with world-class lighting, amazing sound systems and mind-blowing visual effects, featuring top-notch Vietnamese and international singers and DJs. Don't miss the chance to scream at the top of your lungs and welcome the first moments of the new year at this special event! 2. Yamaha ClearMen Countdown 2015 Yamaha ClearMen Countdown 2015 Thu 31 Dec 2014, from 8.30 pm Cach Mang Thang 8 Square, in front of Hanoi Opera House No. 1 Trang Tien A night of celebration with Remix (music) Party with some of the most well-known Vietnamese singers, impressive 3D mapping and lots of surprises and gifts! Who are you going to enjoy this fabulous party with? … [Read more...] about WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 15-31 (DAILY UPDATE)

Green Drinks Hanoi - Green Travel Sat 23 Aug 2014, 2.30 - 5 pm Urban Coffee Mandarin Garden Building, Hoang Minh Giam Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi Come to the world-famous Green Drinks meeting to discuss what you are passionate about: Green; Sustainability; Our environment! This time, Green Drinks Hanoi is back with the topic of Green Travel! Who? Anyone who cares about environmental-related issues and wants to share opinions, knowledge and experience with everyone else. Free entrance, 10% discount on drinks. Language: mostly in Vietnamese Documentary Screening about William Onyeabor and Afrobeat Set by Dan Lo Wed 20 Aug 2014, 8 pm The Observatory Corner of Le Lai and Ton That Tung, Dist.1, HCMC You are invited to the screening of recently-released documentary on the life and music of William Onyeabor - enigmatic, revolutionary and reclusive Nigerian electronic musician who rose to national fame in the late 70s and early 80s before retreating into a life of relative seclusion as a … [Read more...] about EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 10-20 (daily updated)

Last week, Viet Nam News asks readers' opinions on the new VAT refund policy, which started on July 1, and would allow foreign visitors to Viet Nam to get their value-added tax refunded on departure from the Noi Bai or Tan Son Nhat airports.
This week:
Homestay, the form of tourism that allows a visitor to rent a room from a local family to better learn the local lifestyle, is not something new in many countries.
Viewed by tourism experts as one of the best ways to learn a different culture while at the same time allowing locals to earn additional income, homestays are strongly promoted in some countries such as New Zealand, Kenya and the United Kingdom.
This form of tourism, however, does not seem to be taken full advantage of in Viet Nam. A tourism company's director recently told the Tin tuc (News) newspaper that tourism places in Viet Nam had only offered "housestay" (accommodation service) instead of homestay - a means of cross cultural exchange.
He said true … [Read more...] about New VAT refund policy for foreigners fails to impress

Timeout talks to Tran Tien Dung, vice chairman of Quang Binh People’s Committee about the Quang Binh Tourism Month 2012 and the Discover Quang Binh Caves campaign Can you tell us more about Quang Binh Tourism Month 2012? In the past we often held tourism promotion events for a short-time but on a large scale. So this year we plan to host the Quang Binh Tourism Month along with the National Tourism Year for the north central coast. We will promote highlights such as cave tourism with the launch of new tourism routes to discover Rao Thuong – En cave and explore the Phong Nha cave at a depth of 1,500m as well as E cave and Sinh Ton valley. At the same time, we will host traditional events with bong dancing and cheo (Vietnamese opera) performances, the famous fish worshipping festival, boat racing on Nhat Le river, musical shows, a culinary festival and the Vietnam, Laos and Thailand international trade fair. Throughout these activities we would like to promote and … [Read more...] about Coast is clear for Quang Binh

Vu Nhat Tan and Bush Lam Live Sat 18 Feb 2012, 8 pm ATK73a Mai Hac De, Hanoi Vu Nhat Tan performing with live bassist, Bush Lam represents an exciting collaboration as Hanoi's old guard hooks up with its hottest young talent. Tan has been flying the flag for experimental and electronic music in the capital for as long as anyone can remember. Through his noise groups, DJ sets, classical compositions and lectures at the Hanoi Conservatory, Tan has introduced a generation of Hanoians to a world of music which wouldn't otherwise reach them. It's fitting then that for his ATK performance on Saturday the 18th, he'll have one of Vietnam's most exciting young musicians accompanying him on live bass. Anyone who's heard any of Bush's myriad musical projects or seen one of his filthy, bass heavy DJ sets knows he's one to watch. Free entry.Audition for HITS Spring Comedy Show 18 and 19 Feb 2012, 3 pm Cinematheque 22A Hai Ba Trung Str, Hanoi We hope you have had such a great holiday and have now … [Read more...] about EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY (Weekly Update)

Exhibition “Shadow” at Bui Gallery Exhibition: 21 Jun – 31 Aug 2011 The Bui Gallery, 23 Ngo Van So St., Hanoi, Vietnam You are invited to painting exhibition “Shadow” of artist Le Nguyen Manh. In an increasingly crowded field of talented social critics, self driven work like “Shadow” sets itself apart from the pack. Artist Le Nguyen Manh: After all, Le Nguyen Manh doesn’t have answers to the ever rising economic pressures in contemporary Vietnamese society, and he doesn’t pretend to. Manh is a rare breed among the old guard of social observers. He is intensely focused on himself, his work, and his spiritual evolution and yet his work is distinctly ‘Vietnamese’. Manh achieves this rare duality by focusing on himself rather than the larger implications of society. Unlike artists that make direct social statements with their art, referencing specific moments in history and juxtaposing them with modern times, Manh observes … [Read more...] about New Events